The Secret Writer’s Guide to Coming Out
All authors begin in secret.
Whether as a child or teen or adult, those first few lines we write, the first story or poem, are never shown to anyone. We instinctively know that we must protect this part of ourselves, the inner child who longs to create, who speaks to us in a sure but small voice.
In my case, my dreams of a writing career were thoroughly shut down every time I expressed them. I have allowed criticism and judgement, both from others and my inner self, to affect my actions, to freeze my progress.
I let fear draw me back into silence again and again. Eventually, I withdrew completely. If I did mention my writing, it was in an apologetic and embarrassed manner. My natural introversion became severe withdrawal.
The final and most difficult switch for me in becoming a professional writer was transforming my mindset and behaviors to move from a secret, restrained author to an open and engaged one.
Like many writers, I am naturally introverted. I spend my workday in my imagination. I must do so in order to write.
I still struggle with reaching out to the world, broadcasting my thoughts and words, making them vulnerable to criticism and judgement.
Seven years ago, I finally began to lift my head from the sand when I learned about self-publishing. Suddenly, writers were making a living without enduring years and years of rejection and runaround. Writers were writing books, publishing them, and earning a living. Exactly what I had dreamed of doing since I was thirteen!
I was inspired by their example. If they could do it, so could I.
If you are a writer, you must live that truth openly.
Our hearts cannot hold a guarded secret forever. Writing ambition does not need to be a secret. Especially if you aspire to a writing career, you must share that writing publicly.
Being openly truthful about your writing aspirations is the way to transform your writing from a closely guarded dream to a reality.
A Secret Writer’s Guide to Connection
Connection is important, not only to our friends, family, and loved ones, but connection to other writers, other people who share our experience in the writing life.
Connect with family and friends.
As a child, I learned to shut up about my writing aspirations. But since then, I have found that it’s impossible to live one life and strive for another.
The first step?
When people ask, “What do you do?” Answer, “I’m a writer.”
It will feel weird at first. Invariably, the same questioner will go on to ask what you write, etc. Prepare some short answers: “Short stories.” “I’m working on my first novel.” “I have a food blog.” Whatever it is you are truthfully writing at that time, say it out loud.
No need to go into an extensive synopsis — they don’t care that much.
No need to prove yourself by spouting sales numbers or page views — they don’t care that much.
Sure, the person asking might be thinking, Pffft, yeah right. Who are you kidding?
There’s nothing you can do about what they think. You live for you. You don’t live for them. Learn to call yourself a writer.
After a while, it won’t sound so weird.
Connect with other writers.
Every vocation offers opportunities to connect with peers. The writing and publishing industry is no exception. You have a vast array of choices in which to connect with your fellow writers, both in person and online.
Start by finding a critique group or writing class. If you can’t find a group or a class you like in your area, consider these online sites for writers to connect:
An online writing workshop for writers of all skill levels. If you’ve never critiqued in a writing group, this is the place to begin. They have guidance for those who have never critiqued before and groups for manuscript exchanges if you have a complete novel.
Every November is National Novel Writing Month. From November 1–30, writers from all over the world commit to writing a novel of 50,000 words in thirty days. Because you are writing with thousands of other people at the same time, it’s a great way to connect with other writers.
Part of Amazon’s kboards, Writers’ Café is the forum for Kindle ereader users and authors and is the place to discuss every part of writing and publishing through the biggest distributor of self-published ebooks: Kindle Direct Publishing.
Holly Lisle is an author and writing teacher with online classes available through her website. Register at her site, and you can take part in her forums to discuss writing with other students. To start, she has an excellent free course called Writing Flash Fiction That Doesn’t Suck.
Connect with readers.
Finding your audience is just as important. This is also called building a platform. But it’s not about marketing to people or selling them something.
Connecting with readers is an extension of putting your work out there, of putting yourself out there, specifically the parts of yourself that you want to make public, otherwise known as your brand.
When I was younger, I dreamed of a writing life in which I lived in a remote cabin, writing my stories, sending them to a publisher, collecting the check, and otherwise living the life of a hermit.
I suppose in the past a writer could build a successful career this way, but most modern authors need and want to connect with their readers, to communicate with them what they’re about.
If you want a writing life — if you want a writing career — you need readers. You need a public image. You need a personal brand.
The good news is that modern authors have so many ways to connect with readers online. This is where your own website is essential. This is where you work to connect through social media, blog posts, and your email list.
Begin building a list of subscribers. This article by The Book Designer is a good place to start. It explains an author’s need for an email list and how to begin building one.
In person, you can connect with readers at conventions, book signings, and speaking events. The more you put yourself out there, the more readers will have a chance to connect with you and take a chance on reading your work.
A Secret Writer’s Guide to Publishing
The goal of most writers is to publish, to share their writing with the world. To sell access to their writing in exchange for money so that they can make a living in this manner and continue to write.
Publishing can take many forms: print book, ebook, audio book, blog posts, online or print magazines, or freelance articles.
If you are interested in the traditional paths of publishing, consider these resources for submitting to literary agents and publishers or freelancing:
The online version of the Writer’s Market book published since 1921 has thousands of market listings for writers, including book publishers, magazines, literary agents, contests, and conferences. Subscription is reasonable at $5.99/month.
Another reasonably priced market listing service, at $5/month, Duotrope has value for writers submitting regularly to fiction markets. The listings are actively research by a team of professionals.
Carol Tice — Make a Living Writing
Carol Tice is a successful freelance writer who shares an amazing amount of free advice and information on her blog. She also has courses and books for sale if you want to delve further.
If you are interested in self-publishing, consider these resources for independent authors:
Joanna Penn is a successful entrepreneur and fiction writer (under the name J.F. Penn). Since I began following her in 2011, she has grown her author business to an impressive size with multiple income streams from courses, books, and sponsorship.
Kristine Kathryn Rusch (Business Musings)
Kris Rusch is a prolific author and editor who is generous with her advice to independent authors. The business resources on her website, including information for authors on contracts, is essential reading.
Derek Murphy is an independent author who shares an amazing amount of information about every part of his book creation process, from cover design to marketing and promotions to specific numbers on his sales and income.
Alliance of Independent Authors
As a member of the Alliance of Independent Authors, you can have access to an exclusive Facebook group of fellow indie authors to share tips and tricks. If you’re not ready to join as a member, read their Self-Publishing Advice blog for free.
Joel Friedlander has been working in publishing since the 1970s. I suggest his site The Book Designer as the place to start if you have decided to self-publish your book but know nothing at all about publishing. Start by downloading his free guide 10 Things You Need to Know About Self-Publishing.
Fair Warning: The subject of sharing your writing with the world is an enormous and complex one, no matter which path you choose.
Whether you’re querying literary agents, submitting to publications, or choosing to publish yourself, the process quickly becomes time-consuming, overwhelming, and fraught with criticism and rejection. (And I haven’t even mentioned marketing and promotion.)
Deep breath.
Start with connection. Start calling yourself a writer. Join a writing group, either in person or online. Share your challenges with those on the same path.
Then release your writing publicly. Consider a blog, submit a story to magazines, or finish that novel and get it published.
Get your writing out there. Some secrets are meant to be shared.
Still writing in secret? Struggling to finish your novel? I can help! Try my free course to Finish Your Novel in 8 Weeks.
